City Girl Savings | Budgeting, Money Management, and Goal Setting Tips for Women

Raya Reaves
  • 5.0 (125)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Make good money but still feel behind financially? Struggling with budgeting, overspending, or figuring out where your money actually goes? Whether you're living paycheck to paycheck, earning a solid income but struggling to stay organized, or ready to finally build real wealth...The City Girl Savings Podcast is your weekly money reset. Hosted by Money Coach and City Girl Savings founder Raya Reaves, this podcast helps women master budgeting, improve money management, stop overspending, pay off debt, and confidently build wealth...without giving up the lifestyle they love. Raya knows what it feels like to make money and still feel out of control. After years of overspending and credit card debt, she transformed her finances using simple budgeting systems and intentional money habits. Today, she's a full-time financial coach, second-home owner in Palm Springs, and wealth-building entrepreneur...and she teaches women how to do the same. Each episode covers topics like: • Budgeting systems that simplify your life • Money mindset shifts that build confidence • How to stop overspending and save consistently • Paying off debt and keeping it at $0 • Building wealth while still enjoying your lifestyle • Financial organization, goal setting, and long-term security If you're a working woman who makes good money but knows you could be doing more with it, this podcast is your weekly money reset. Press follow and let Raya be the money coach in your ear every Monday...helping you budget your way to a life you truly love. Follow City Girl Savings on your favorite podcast platform, or visit: citygirlsavings.com to learn more! Join the weekly newsletter for practical money strategies and mindset shifts: https://citygirlsavings.activehosted.com/f/31 Connect with Raya on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram: @citygirlsavings

  1. 12/29/2025

    5 Money Lessons 2025 Taught Us and How to Apply Them in 2026

    Can you believe this is the final episode of 2025? It feels surreal to be closing out another year of the City Girl Savings Podcast—211 episodes of financial education, mindset shifts, and real conversations about building the life you want through better money management. If you've been tuning in all year…whether this is your very first episode or you've listened to all 50+ episodes released in 2025…I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Truly. Your support, your listens, your shares, your reviews, your messages about how an episode changed your perspective... they all mean the world to me and the entire CGS team. This podcast started back in January 2022 as a way for me to share what I've learned about money, mindset, goal-setting, and creating the life you want on your own terms. Over the past four years, it's grown into such a powerful space for women to learn, grow, take ownership of their financial futures, and realize they're not alone in their money struggles. As we close out another incredible year, I've been reflecting deeply on what 2025 has taught me—not just as a money coach working with clients every week, but as a woman navigating her own financial journey, personal growth, health challenges, business evolution, and life transitions. So in today's final episode of the year, I'm sharing five powerful money lessons that 2025 taught us, along with practical ways to apply each one in 2026 so you can reach brand-new levels in your financial journey. And because I'm passionate about the transformation that happens when you have support and guidance, I'm also sharing how working with a money coach can help you implement these lessons with clarity and confidence. Grab a notebook, open your Notes app, or get ready to screenshot some key takeaways, because these five lessons are the perfect foundation for the new year ahead.   Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why discipline beats motivation for lasting financial results The role of mindset in determining your money success or struggles How financial systems create freedom instead of restriction Building accountability through money coaching and support systems Real client success stories: credit score increases, debt payoff, mindset shifts The power of imperfect action over waiting for perfect conditions   The Perfect Year-End Reflection: After 211 episodes and countless client transformations, these five lessons represent the most powerful shifts that create lasting financial change. Whether you crushed 2025 or struggled through it, these insights will help you enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and a concrete plan for growth.   Here's a glance at this episode: [02:29] Discipline Over Motivation: Why the hard days make the biggest difference in your financial progress. [05:10] Mindset Transformation: How money coaching rewires your relationship with money, confidence, and self-worth. [09:27] Systems Create Freedom: How financial organization eliminates stress and creates lasting peace with money. [11:56] Progress Over Perfection: Why waiting for the "perfect time" keeps you stuck and how to take imperfect action. [14:40] Q1 2026 Podcast Break: What to expect during the break and exciting updates coming in April 2026.   🎉 City Girl Savings 20% Off Sale - January 1-15, 2026! Start the new year strong with 20% off custom budget plans, the Personal Finance Portfolio, 1-on-1 money coaching, and DIY worksheets. This is our biggest sale of the year and only happens once—mark your calendar!   Podcast Q1 2026 Break Announcement: After releasing weekly episodes since January 2022, the City Girl Savings Podcast is taking a well-deserved Q1 break (January-March 2026). We'll share favorite past episodes weekly to keep you inspired while preparing an incredible new season. Brand-new episodes return the first Monday in April 2026!   Thank You for an Amazing 2025: Thank you for being part of the CGS family this year. Your support has made this podcast's growth possible, and I'm so proud of the progress you've made toward your financial goals. Here's to the lessons learned, the progress made, and the amazing transformations waiting in 2026!   Rate, Review, & Follow: Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life! To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Grab your CGS Personal Finance Portfolio Listen to Episode #21 – Setting Up Your Own Financial Filing System Get started on a custom budget plan today Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

    16 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    6 Ways to Assess Your Goal Progress and Set Better Goals

    As the year winds down, I always find myself in reflection mode—looking back at the goals I set at the beginning of 2025, evaluating what went well, what didn't pan out, and most importantly, what I learned along the way that will make me better at goal-setting moving forward. And let me tell you, goal setting is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I love the process of dreaming big, planning strategically, and mapping out what's next for my life and business. But if I've learned anything over the years of setting and tracking goals, it's that how you set your goals (and how you track your progress throughout the year) matters just as much as the goals themselves. You can have ambitious, exciting goals, but without the right assessment process and tracking systems, you'll constantly feel like you're falling short even when you're making real progress. Or worse, you'll keep setting the same goals year after year without understanding why they're not working. So today, I want to help you assess where you are right now with total honesty and zero guilt. Whether you absolutely crushed your 2025 goals and exceeded your own expectations, or you're looking at your list feeling like you fell short in several areas, this episode will help you reflect constructively and set yourself up for even more success in 2026. In this episode, I'm sharing 6 practical ways to assess your current goal progress and set better, more effective, more aligned goals for the new year. These strategies will help you understand what worked, what didn't, and how to create goals that actually stick.   Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to conduct an honest goal inventory without self-judgment Why celebrating progress matters more than perfect completion Identifying successful systems and habits that moved you forward Recognizing patterns and obstacles that consistently derailed progress The importance of revisiting your "why" before setting new goals How to make goals specific and measurable for better tracking Breaking big goals into small, consistent, achievable actions Adjusting goals when life circumstances or priorities change Separating self-worth from goal achievement outcomes Setting smarter goals based on lessons learned from previous years   Here's a glance at this episode: [02:01] Honest Goal Inventory: Taking stock of achievements, in-progress goals, and what didn't happen (without self-criticism). [04:25] Progress Over Perfection: Why consistent effort and partial completion deserve celebration and recognition [08:02] Revisiting Your Why: Evaluating whether last year's goals still align with your current values and lifestyle. [11:09] Specific Goal-Setting: How to transform vague intentions into measurable, trackable targets.  [13:06] Self-Worth Reminder: Decoupling personal value from goal completion and embracing growth mindset.   🎉 Annual 20% Off Sale Alert! The City Girl Savings New Year Sale runs January 1-15, 2026! Get 20% off custom budget plans, the CGS Personal Finance Portfolio, 1-on-1 money coaching, and DIY worksheets. Mark your calendar—this is our biggest sale of the year and only happens once!   Podcast Break Reminder: The City Girl Savings Podcast takes a Q1 2026 break (January-March). We'll share favorite past episodes to keep you inspired, then return with fresh content the first Monday in April 2026!   Rate, Review, & Follow: Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life! To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Grab your CGS Personal Finance Portfolio Get started on a custom budget plan today Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

    16 min

  3. 12/15/2025

    My Personal and Business Goals for 2026

    Wow, how is it that another year is almost behind us? The older I get, the more I feel like time is just flying by, and if you're not intentional about making the most of your time, you'll get left behind chasing goals you never quite reach. This reality feels even more true as I reflect on 2025 and look ahead to what I want to accomplish in 2026. In the spirit of making the most of my time and staying intentional with my progress, I'm a firm believer in the power of planning, setting, and reflecting on goals…both personal goals for my life and business goals for City Girl Savings. But here's what makes goal-setting even more powerful: accountability. Sharing my goals publicly with the CGS community holds me accountable to actually working toward them instead of letting them sit in a journal collecting dust. It also gives you real-world examples of how entrepreneurs balance personal wellness goals with business growth targets, manage financial priorities while building wealth, and adjust expectations when things don't go as planned. In this transparent episode, I'm sharing my complete personal and business goals for 2026, along with honest progress updates on the goals I set for 2025…the wins, the misses, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. From maxing out my Roth IRA to managing a short-term rental property, from improving profit margins to taking a podcast break for mental health, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to run a business while prioritizing personal wellness. My hope is that you finish this episode feeling empowered and inspired to set and reflect on your own 2026 goals, whether they're financial, health-related, business-focused, or all of the above.   Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: Balancing ambitious financial goals with realistic expectations Investment strategies: maxing out retirement accounts (Roth IRA) Real estate investment lessons from managing a short-term rental property Business finance: increasing profit margins while managing revenue fluctuations Health and wellness goals for entrepreneurs and busy professionals Managing screen time and reducing social media-induced anxiety Prioritizing nervous system regulation and work-life balance Setting business revenue and profitability targets for sustainable growth   Radical Transparency for Accountability: This isn't a highlight reel—it's an honest look at what worked, what didn't, and how an entrepreneur balances million-dollar net worth building with mental health priorities. Use this as your roadmap for setting realistic, meaningful goals that honor both your ambitions and your wellbeing.   Here's a glance at this episode: [03:37] Health Goal Progress: Hitting 12,000 daily steps 90% of the year and evolving fitness goals with naturopathic support. [06:43] Real Estate Reality Check: Palm Springs Airbnb lessons—prioritizing memories over profit and managing investment expectations.  [11:35] Email Growth Strategy: How City Girl Savings tracks newsletter subscribers and sets baseline metrics for growth. [16:42] 2026 Life Goals: Planning a courthouse wedding and 3-week European honeymoon adventure!  [18:51] Nervous System Regulation Priority: Why slowing down and reducing stress is Raya's top personal focus for 2026.   Rate, Review, & Follow: Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life! To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube! Podcast Update: No new episodes in Q1 2026—the show returns with fresh content the first Monday in April 2026! Past favorite episodes will air during the break.   Resources mentioned in this episode: Listen to Episode 187 - 2025 Mid Year Personal and Business Goals Check In Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

    25 min

  4. 12/08/2025

    10 Quick Financial Wins to Achieve Before the Year Ends

    We're officially in the final stretch of the year, and you know what that means: holiday parties, family gatherings, and probably a little too much spending on gifts, decorations, and celebrations. But before we get caught up in all the festivities and lose sight of our financial goals, I want to remind you of something important: it's not too late to make some powerful moves with your money before the year ends. Here's the thing so many people get wrong: you don't have to wait until January 1st to start improving your finances. In fact, the last few weeks of the year are actually the perfect time to reflect on your spending patterns, reset your financial priorities, and take small but mighty actions that will set you up for success in 2026. Think about it…most people wait until New Year's to think about their money goals, but by starting now, you're already ahead of the game. You can finish 2025 strong and hit the ground running in January instead of scrambling to figure out where to start. So in today's episode, I'm sharing 10 quick financial wins you can knock out before the ball drops on New Year's Eve. These are simple, achievable things that don't require hours of work or major lifestyle changes, but they can give you clarity, confidence, and serious momentum going into a brand-new year.  From cleaning up your finances to building quick wins and resetting your money mindset, these actionable steps will help you close out the year feeling proud and prepared.   Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to conduct a meaningful 2025 spending review and identify problem areas Strategies for finding and eliminating wasted subscription spending Setting up financial automation to build consistency in 2026 Creating sinking funds for specific 2026 goals and priorities Maximizing credit card rewards and cash back before year-end Making strategic extra debt payments for psychological momentum Reviewing and celebrating your savings progress (no matter the amount) Goal-setting techniques to enter 2026 with clear financial direction Money mindset reflection practices for lasting behavior change Why celebrating progress is essential for building financial confidence   Don't Wait for January: While everyone else is scrambling to figure out their New Year's resolutions, you can finish 2025 strong and start 2026 already ahead. These 10 achievable wins take minimal time but create maximum impact on your financial confidence and trajectory.   Here's a glance at this episode: [01:54] The 10 financial wins are broken up into 3 segments: cleaning up your finances, quick wins for momentum, and reflecting and resetting your mindset. [03:45] 2025 Spending Review: Analyzing where your money went and identifying overspending patterns (plus tracking system resources). [07:50] Credit Card Rewards Strategy: Cashing out points to fund holiday spending or accelerate financial goals. [11:25] Setting your goals is a must, money goals included! Start thinking about your 2026 goals now to start fresh January 1st.  [14:59] Progress Celebration: How gratitude builds financial confidence and empowers better money decisions.   Podcast Break Announcement: The City Girl Savings Podcast will be taking a short break during Q1 2026. We'll be sharing favorite past episodes to keep you inspired, then returning with brand-new content starting the first Monday in April 2026! Stay connected via Instagram @citygirlsavings and our newsletter for updates.   Rate, Review, & Follow: Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life! To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Grab your CGS Personal Finance Portfolio Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

    17 min

  5. 12/01/2025

    Pleasing Yourself Instead of Others with Therapist Jamila Holcomb

    I tell my money coaching clients all the time that if their health isn't right, it doesn't matter how great their money is—they won't be able to make the most of it. You could have a six-figure salary and a robust investment portfolio, but if you're mentally and emotionally depleted from constantly putting everyone else first, none of it brings you peace or fulfillment. Mental health is something that doesn't get anywhere near enough attention, especially for women who are taught from a young age to be caregivers, nurturers, and people-pleasers. It impacts so many areas of our lives…our relationships, our career decisions, our spending habits, our ability to set boundaries…and deserves to always be a priority, not an afterthought. That's why I couldn't be more excited to welcome licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Jamila Holcomb to the show today. With over a decade of experience helping individuals and families, plus her work mentoring future therapists at Florida State University, Dr. Holcomb brings invaluable insight into the people-pleasing patterns that keep so many women stuck. In this conversation, we're diving deep into how women can stop people pleasing and start prioritizing their own happiness, and how their mental health (and even their finances) will benefit as a result. As we look to close out another year, make sure you're starting 2026 with a renewed sense of self-love, worthiness, and healthy boundaries.   Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: Recognizing subtle signs you're stuck in people-pleasing patterns The connection between people-pleasing, burnout, and mental health How childhood and cultural expectations shape caregiving behaviors Practical first steps to start prioritizing your own needs without guilt The role of self-worth in breaking free from people-pleasing How people-pleasing shows up in money habits and financial boundaries Setting healthy boundaries for emotional, mental, and financial wellness Self-reflection practices to build self-trust as you enter the new year The Mental Health-Money Connection: People-pleasing doesn't just drain you emotionally—it shows up in your bank account too. From overspending on others to avoiding financial boundaries, learn how prioritizing yourself mentally leads to better financial decisions and true wealth.   Here's a glance at this episode: [03:00] Dr. Holcomb's Journey: Over a decade in mental health therapy and what drew her to this field. [07:45] Irritability is a common symptom prescribed to women and Jamila believes it's connected to women overextending themselves. [17:57] Reclaiming Personal Time: Creating a list of neglected activities and how to reintegrate them. [30:08] Overwhelm is personal and systemic. It's important to remember that empowering yourself is a start to impacting the overall system.  [36:21] Money and Self-Worth: How finances become tools for justifying worth and gaining love through people-pleasing.   Rate, Review, & Follow: Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life! To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Follow Jamila on Instagram and TikTok Visit Jamila's website Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

    48 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    5 Financial Blessings You May Be Overlooking

    November is such a wonderful month, not just because of the cozy weather or fall vibes (although those are great), but because it's a season where we naturally slow down and reflect on what we're grateful for. But when it comes to money, I've noticed something troubling: so many of us focus exclusively on what we don't have: the bigger salary, the dream home, the overflowing savings account…and we completely overlook the financial blessings that are already right in front of us. This scarcity mindset keeps us stuck in a cycle of never feeling like we have enough, even when we're making progress. We dismiss our income because it's not six figures yet. We shame ourselves for having debt instead of acknowledging that credit gave us access when we needed it. We ignore our savings because the balance feels too small to celebrate. In today's episode, we're shifting that perspective completely. I want to help you recognize five financial blessings you may be overlooking, so you can start seeing your current financial situation in a new, empowering light. Because here's the thing research proves time and again: when you start practicing gratitude for what you already have, you open the door for more opportunities, more growth, and yes... more money. Abundance starts with appreciation.   Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why gratitude mindset attracts more financial abundance and opportunities How to reframe your current income as a blessing worth celebrating The hidden blessing of having access to credit and debt repayment ability Why any amount of savings deserves recognition and appreciation Celebrating financial possibilities you haven't tapped into yet Shifting from scarcity to abundance thinking with money   Financial gratitude isn't just about feeling good, it's a proven wealth-building practice. When you acknowledge your current blessings, you shift from scarcity to abundance thinking, which opens you up to recognize and seize more opportunities for financial growth.   Here's a Glance at This Episode: [01:53] Income Appreciation: Recognizing any income stream as a financial blessing worth acknowledging. [04:22] Currently paying down debt? There was a point in time where you needed access to that credit, thankfully you had it. [07:15] Celebrating Savings Progress: Honoring your commitment to future you, regardless of balance size [10:33] My favorite overlooked financial blessing is about gratitude for the possibilities you haven't even tapped into yet.   Rate, Review, & Follow: Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life! To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Listen to CGS Podcast #15 – My Debt Free Story and Key Takeaways Request a complimentary call with Raya to discuss money coaching Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

    14 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    6 Strategies to Maximize Every Dollar You Make

    Before you're ready to make more money, you must master the money you currently have, and I will die on this hill. Here's the truth many people don't want to hear: a lot of us convince ourselves we need more income when, in reality, we need to control our spending habits first. It's either an income problem (you truly don't make enough to cover basic needs) or a behavioral problem (you spend too much, leading you to believe you don't make enough). And here's why this distinction matters: if you have a behavioral spending problem and don't fix it before earning more, those bad habits will scale with your income. You'll just overspend at a higher level. In this episode, we're focusing on the behavioral side of money management. I'm sharing 6 strategic ways to maximize every dollar you currently earn through better budgeting, intentional spending, and financial systems that work on autopilot. Once you've given every dollar a purpose and you're consistently sticking to your budget, you'll be ready to bring more money into the picture and reach your financial goals faster, without the cycle of earning more and spending more.   Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to diagnose if you have an income problem vs. a spending problem Building a goal-aligned budget that makes every dollar intentional The difference between high-impact and low-impact spending decisions Setting up automated financial systems to remove reliance on willpower When to invest in financial education or coaching for better results Why financial literacy is the foundation of wealth building   The Foundation of Wealth: You can't out-earn bad spending habits. This episode gives you the framework to get intentional with your current income, break the cycle of overspending, and build a solid foundation before scaling up your earnings.   Here's a Glance at This Episode: [01:57] Goal-Aligned Budgeting: Creating a budget system that intentionally leverages your current income. [04:35] Every dollar that you spend should be working for you, not against you. That means prioritizing high-impact spending. [08:40] Financial Automation: Building systems that run on autopilot without relying on memory or willpower. [12:08] If the things you're doing aren't working for your finances, it's okay to invest your time or money into getting the results you need. [14:25] The more you know about money, the more confident and strategic you become with it.   Rate, Review, & Follow: Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life! To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Let Raya create your custom budget plan Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

    18 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    Not Burned Out, But Not Excited? How to Move Through the In-Between

    Feeling stuck between where you are and where you want to be? You're not alone. Many high-achievers experience this 'in-between' phase…not quite burned out, but lacking the excitement and motivation that once drove them forward. It's that uncomfortable space where you're functioning at a higher level than before, yet still far from your ultimate goals. The spark is gone, but so is the clarity about what to do next. This life transition and career plateau is completely normal, but you don't have to stay stuck in the fog. A year ago, I found myself in this exact place: consumed by content, searching for answers, and realizing I'd become so fixated on my end destination that I forgot to appreciate the progress I'd already made. The shift from striving to gratitude changed everything. In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shifts and practical strategies that helped me move through the in-between with purpose and renewed energy. Whether you're experiencing a career plateau, life transition, or just feeling 'blah' about your progress, you'll learn how to rediscover motivation, practice gratitude that actually works, redefine what success means in your current season, and find clarity when the path forward feels unclear.   Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to recognize when you're in an 'in-between' season vs. burnout Why gratitude practices activate happiness and boost motivation Redefining success beyond traditional milestones and achievements The power of mental breaks for gaining clarity and reducing overwhelm How to appreciate your current progress while pursuing bigger goals Signs you're craving change and what to do about it   Feeling Stuck Isn't Failure: That "meh" feeling when you're functioning well but not thriving is more common than you think. This episode validates the in-between experience and provides actionable tools to move through it with intention, rather than waiting for a breakthrough to happen to you.   Here's a Glance at This Episode: [02:04] Raya shares how The Joy of the In-Between helped her identify where she was mentally. [05:45] Craving change but you're unsure of what's next? This could be a sign that you're stuck in your current situation. [10:49] Gratitude Neuroscience: How gratitude practices rewire your brain for happiness and motivation. [14:15] Most of us measure success by big milestones, but success can (and should) look different when we're in different seasons of life. [17:12] Mental Clarity Through Rest: How strategic breaks release mental clutter and restore vision.   Rate, Review, & Follow: Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life! To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Get Ashley's Book: The Joy of the In-Between Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

    19 min
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5
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125 Ratings

About

Make good money but still feel behind financially? Struggling with budgeting, overspending, or figuring out where your money actually goes? Whether you're living paycheck to paycheck, earning a solid income but struggling to stay organized, or ready to finally build real wealth...The City Girl Savings Podcast is your weekly money reset. Hosted by Money Coach and City Girl Savings founder Raya Reaves, this podcast helps women master budgeting, improve money management, stop overspending, pay off debt, and confidently build wealth...without giving up the lifestyle they love. Raya knows what it feels like to make money and still feel out of control. After years of overspending and credit card debt, she transformed her finances using simple budgeting systems and intentional money habits. Today, she's a full-time financial coach, second-home owner in Palm Springs, and wealth-building entrepreneur...and she teaches women how to do the same. Each episode covers topics like: • Budgeting systems that simplify your life • Money mindset shifts that build confidence • How to stop overspending and save consistently • Paying off debt and keeping it at $0 • Building wealth while still enjoying your lifestyle • Financial organization, goal setting, and long-term security If you're a working woman who makes good money but knows you could be doing more with it, this podcast is your weekly money reset. Press follow and let Raya be the money coach in your ear every Monday...helping you budget your way to a life you truly love. Follow City Girl Savings on your favorite podcast platform, or visit: citygirlsavings.com to learn more! Join the weekly newsletter for practical money strategies and mindset shifts: https://citygirlsavings.activehosted.com/f/31 Connect with Raya on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram: @citygirlsavings

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